Historical Overview of the UEFA Women’s European Championship
Since its debut in 1984, the UEFA Women’s European Championship has seen a handful of nations emerge victorious, with only five countries taking home the trophy. Germany has been the most formidable force in the tournament’s history, claiming the title eight times, although their most recent win was a decade ago in 2013. Norway trails with two championships, while England, Sweden, and the Netherlands each have one title to their names. This year, the reigning world champions from Spain are on the hunt for their first Euro victory, aiming to break past their quarterfinal struggles in recent competitions and are favored to do well in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Lessons from Past Tournaments
What lessons can the contenders of this year’s championship draw from past tournaments? What characteristics are common among the teams that have achieved success? Germany sets the benchmark for success in the Euros, holding a notable record of eight championship wins out of nine tournaments and boasting a streak of six consecutive titles from 1995 to 2013. This legacy was supported by influential players like Birgit Prinz, who holds the record for the most Euro matches played with 23 across five tournaments, and goalie Nadine Angerer, a stalwart from 1997 to 2013, along with a stable lineup during their peak years.
Both the Netherlands and England have also crafted their winning teams from strong foundational groups that had been developing long before they achieved tournament success. Notably, several key players from the Dutch squad that triumphed on home soil in 2017—like Vivianne Miedema, Dominique Janssen, and Jill Roord—had previously won the under-19 European Championship together. Similarly, England’s victorious squad in 2022 featured stalwarts like Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze, and Ellen White, who had been part of the team since 2017.
Spain now seems poised with a rich blend of experienced players from Barcelona, indicating a level of teamwork and chemistry essential for deep runs in international tournaments. This familiarity has been a common thread among winning teams throughout the years.
Tactical Evolution and Team Strategies
The evolution of tactical formations since Euro 2009 has seen a shift toward styles like 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, characterized by prominent midfielders and versatile strikers. For instance, Germany’s strategy in 2009 and 2013 as well as that of the Netherlands in 2017 and England in 2022 revolved around leveraging strong midfield control and transition plays. UEFA’s technical reports mention how the personality and characteristics of teams often align with their midfield dynamics, as seen in Germany’s past midfield partnerships of Nadine Kessler and Lena Goessling, or England’s Keira Walsh paired with the dynamic Georgia Stanway at the 2022 event.
While possession-based football has gained favor recently, teams that have succeeded frequently balance this with rapid counterattacks and strong defensive setups. In 2017, the Dutch team was noted for completing fewer passes per game compared to their final in 2022, which highlights that maintaining possession isn’t always key to victory. Instead, the effective utilization of wingers along the touchline has become a significant trend among recent champions, allowing for direct attacks and effective crosses, as evidenced in the substantial number of goals scored from these scenarios.
The Role of Set Pieces and Substitutions
Moreover, the importance of set pieces has fluctuated over the years, with a resurgence in scoring from corners noted in both 2017 and 2022. England, in particular, showcased solid defensive tactics, notably not conceding any goals from set pieces during their championship run last time.
The significance of substitutions during matches cannot be overlooked either.
Historical trends show that the nation making the most substitutions has consistently won the tournament in various years—including 2005, 2009, 2017, and 2022.
This holds true for Germany’s memorable last-minute goals and the effective strategic substitutions employed by England’s Sarina Wiegman in 2022, where key players like Alessia Russo made notable contributions after coming off the bench.
Modern Trends in Goal Scoring
Remarkably, while the Golden Boot winner hasn’t clinched the Euros since Germany’s Inka Grings in 2009, German teams have consistently shown that varied goal scorers can be crucial for success. The trend shows that modern forwards like France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Spain’s Salma Paralluelo focus more on playmaking and stretching defenses than simply putting the ball in the net themselves.
The Future of Women’s Football
Germany, a trailblazer in the women’s game, has also set significant benchmarks for investment in women’s soccer, fostering a competitive domestic league well before other nations caught up. However, with countries like England and France rising rapidly in terms of club and national achievements, the dynamic of dominance in women’s football continues to evolve. With the English club Arsenal bringing the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy back home for the first time in nearly two decades, the connection between club success and national team performance may strengthen even further this upcoming tournament.
